VEVOR Mini Metal Lathe, 8"x14", Mini Lathe Machine 2250 PRM Variable Speed Change, Precision Mini Lathe 650W Metal Working Lathe, Milling Machine for Various Types of Turning

When buying a low cost mini-lathe appreciate you are buying a starting point that will need adjustment and some upgrades to build into a precise shop tool. The Vevor MX8-14 has exceeded my expectations for the money, knowing I would need to do this work. I have extensive experience on larger machines. I am using my MX8x14 in my home shop to machine steel and getting good results. Upgrades I would strongly recommend: - Disassemble, clean and file off any burrs on the ways, grease (not just oil) and adjust each stage as firm as possible - Add an OXA Tool post 250-000, allows correct tool height adjustment and significantly increases stiffness - Indexable 3/8" 10mm carbide shank tool set - necessary for steel. The HSS tools that come with the unit are not great. - Vevor welding table with wheels - 36" x 18" - makes it easy to roll into place and setup (requires drill 2 holes to bolt on) - Electronic digital dial with magnetic base. fits perfectly on the tool stage, for precise depth adjustments. When properly setup I find this a very useful and capable mini-lathe, if you are realistic about what it can do and how it needs to be operated. Also - bonus, this lathe works great for starting die threads on posts - see pic. I am building a mini e car suspension and doing a lot of machining and threading of steel rods. In the video I show how I am able to precisely machine steel with my MX8x14. Some positive points on construction. All metal gears!! Many low cost lathes use nylon. Direct drive to spindle, smooth and effective. Digital variable speed adjust (not a series of belts and pulleys to adjust) SOO nice!! Head stock is solid, good locking mechanism. Other upgrades I made: live center, drill chuck, I removed the back cover and chuck safety cover (big machines never have this) - much easier to work on the machine. when open. If you appreciate setting up and learning to machine on a mini-lathe is a project, this Vevor lathe can be a very capable and enjoyable tool to work with at a fraction of the price of larger and more expensive mini-lathes.

Perfect machine for the DIYer to make small precision parts. If you have the ability to imagine it ,and the technical skills to do it, you can accomplish some really amazing stuff on this small compact lathe. It is powerful and accurate and very versatile. For those who need a great little machine to create things on I can most heartily recommend this unit as one of the best home shop investments I've ever made. Most highly recommended. Update: Product still works fine but I need to let everyone out there know that if you encounter problems with your VEVOR products, that assistance from VEVOR may or may not be available. I was recently informed by the VEVOR customer and product support people that they would make warranty claim repairs, but that they refused to sell or make repair parts for their products available for me to make repairs to my items, that they only sold complete units. Stupid policy, since most items that can cost such a great deal of money are usually expected to last longer than just the warranty period and that they should be repairable when the normal warranty period expires or when things happen that necessitate making repairs due to mishaps that can occur, that are not covered by warranty. To be told that I have to spend the money for an entire new unit when all that is needed is something as small and simple as a screw-on ferrule nut, that even with shipping costs could only amount to a few dollars, which by the way I was more than willing to pay for, is both idiotic and unjustifiable. The lack of concern and support from VEVOR has completely and permanently soured me on the brand and all my future purchases will be from other sources. I will be sure to carefully check customer reviews with a particularly close eye on comments about the company's customer service ratings!

The Good: Relatively low price for the size and features Lathe is well packaged in a wood enclosure, secured at the base, and Styrofoam blocks used on both ends. Delivered on time General appearance good Tailstock lock/unlock works nicely Nice tool box with accessories included Variable speed with good power RPM display is bright and easy to read Chuck is a good size and works well The Not so Great: Inch indicators look cheap and are hard to read On/Off button E-Stop cover is fragile and you have to open every time to turn on machine Noisy carriage rack and pinion gear mesh when moving carriage Noisy motor and gear train during operation Catch pan is small Owner manual is a Xerox copy Mounting locations different from other mini lathes Dents in gear cover – Not from shipping. The Unacceptable: Carriage power feed knob not accessible unless gear cover removed – This is a safety concern. Carriage power feed cannot be turned off, so the lead screw is always turning - There is no neutral position Carriage power feed control lever loose and cheap feeling Tailstock knob has slop in the bushing, making is loose and cheap feeling No room to add a carriage lock – This is a much needed upgrade on these small lathes

I expected to do some clean up, and fine tuning, that is ok, and the tree jaw chuck is good with very little run out. My problems are these. First, the cross slide feed was damaged, not serious but still annoying, contacted Vevor with a photo, asked for a replacement part, and they responded quickly, telling me they would look into it. Two weeks later, no follow up. Two, the gear combinations for thread cutting in the manual are meaningless, with gears not able to mesh together, etc. The manual (leaflet) is a waste of paper. Found some work arounds on the web. Third, only three of the carbine tool bits are usable, after sharpening. With some mods and a different tool post it is working good. If Vevor doesn't step up with a new part, I won't buy from them again.